Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Impala owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact rented a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH during inclement weather, the vehicle skidded out of control to the left, the contact applied force to the steering wheel but it did not respond causing the contacts vehicle to be scraped on the left side from a guard rail. The contact stated that the vehicle then veered to the right and slightly went over a curb. The power steering warning light flashed when the failure occurred. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and was able to restart. The driver did not sustain any injuries and no medical attention. A police report was not filed. The rental company was notified of the power steering failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The contact did not receive a recall notification and stated that the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall campaign. While driving 50 MPH, the key position moved while it was in the ignition. The failure affected the engine, power steering, and the contact was unable to brake. As a result, the contact crashed head on into another vehicle. The driver's side and front passenger side air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The insurance company was notified and declared the vehicle destroyed. The driver sustained an extensive laceration when the driver's side air bag components projected from the steering wheel. The driver had continuous headaches and the injury required stitches. …
Car went out of control after driver put the car into gear to move it from a parked, idling position, after noticing a burning like odor. It was noted by the driver at that time that the temperature gauge was in the red zone. When the driver attempted to move the car to a safer parking area only a few feet in distance, she heard a sharp snapping sound and also felt a vibration in the steering wheel/column area. The car suddenly lurched forward, the head lights and dash lighting went completely out as the car began accelerating out of control. In addition, there was no steering or brake control. No work has been done yet to correct these problems because an insurance company is involved.
I have seen a lot of people say that their rack and pinion has broken and they have fix it and it has broken again. The rack and pinion on my car has broken. I dont feel very comfortable with driving this car at all. They told me that the tire is about to fall off. Can you please get this fix. The car has been driving very well on the streets and highway. It has started to shake while I was on the highway. I made it home safe to be told that my rack and pinion had broke. I fear for my life if something would have happen as I was driving on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 09e005000 (steering) and 08e063000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and coming to a stop, the contact noticed that the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and an unknown flashing warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,795.
1. Child climbed into front seat and pulled gear shift from park into neutral. 2. The gear shift lock malfunctioned or broke, and as a result the car rolled into the street and over the neighbor's mailbox. 3. Contacting the dealership to get it fixed.
At approximately 1815 23 August 2001, her grandson entered the left passenger seat, climbed into the front seat over the console slipped against the shifting lever (on the steering column) with his right elbow. The car started moving. He tried to stop the car by pushing on the "middle" pedal. He stated he couldn't stop the car and that it hit a tree on the right fender, bounced over and into the ditch, and kept going into another ditch. The second ditch (the adjacent yards of the three properties involved were downhill slopes.), the left wheels hit a slight embankment, turning the car to the left, slowing the vehicle some. A neighbor moving his lawn was persuing the car, and stated he instructed the boy to unlock the doors, while still in motion and when the boy complied, opened the door and applied the brakes. …
I have a 2000 Impala with approximately 161,000 miles on it. The car is used and I am the 2nd owner. I went to have my normal oil change as I had noticed the low engine oil pressure light had come on. The car had been running out of oil frequently, but I didn't see any oil leaks. The print out after the oil change stated multiple oil leaks. But there was never any oil on the ground. The car had been running very rough and was staring to run warmer than usual. Not hot, but past the middle line on the temp gauge. And I had noticed a burning smell after driving, but never saw any smoke. This all started in April 2014 and has been ongoing. I've taken the car to a repair shop and nobody seems to know what's going on. Now July 5,2014 I went to turn left and the steering wheel was extremely hard to turn. I had to put a lot of muscle into turning the wheel. …
Steering complaints in other Impala years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Impala?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Chevrolet Impala, 15% of the model year's 818 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Impala steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Impala, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Impala steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.